About Monica Buttafava M.S., LMHC
Monica Buttafava is a licensed mental health counselor and has been working in the field of mental health since 1996. She has particular expertise in working with children, adolescents, and their families and is experienced in parenting support and child development. Monica can provide in-depth therapeutic work as well as clinical and developmental consultations.
Background
Before starting her private practice, she was trained in a Child and Adolescent Mental Health Center in Italy and subsequently worked as a developmental psychology professor at a private university in Costa Rica. Monica then worked several years as a psychotherapist for a non-profit agency in the Chicago suburbs serving children and their families. She also collaborated with the Barr-Harris Children's Grief Center of the Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis, dedicated to helping children who have lost a parent or significant loved one through death, divorce, or abandonment.
Education and Training
After earning a master's degree in Clinical Psychology in Italy, Monica pursued a four-year, post-master's Advanced Training Program in Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy at the Chicago Institute for Psychoanalysis
Who Does Monica Help?
Monica provides compassionate care for toddlers, children, teens, young adults and their families who are struggling with life’s various difficulties, traumas, and adversities. If you are struggling to communicate and understand your child/teen, there is a way to address and support their emotional and behavioral needs and to develop a stronger connection with them. Monica Buttafava provides therapy using age-appropriate, creative and expressive methods to give every individual an outlet to process feelings, fears, hopes, and dreams. Monica also provides parenting support and guidance.
Why Therapy?
Stressors such as trauma, divorce, conflict, and abuse can make children and teens confused about their feelings and uncertain about their future. The psychotherapy provided by Monica Buttafava helps children, teens, and their parents in a variety of ways. They receive emotional support, resolve conflicts with people, understand feelings and difficulties, and try new solutions to old problems. As a result, they have greater self-understanding and feel more securely adjusted at home, at school, and with their peers.
How Can Therapy Help?
Therapy addresses children and adolescents' complex emotional lives, deals with the underlying causes of problems, and assists children and adolescents in creating a capable psychological basis for ongoing development. The foundation of therapy is the relationship with the therapist. The goal is to create a situation in which young people can express themselves fully to increase self-understanding and promote new and lasting changes in emotional states and behavior
Testimonials
"Monica Buttafava is a highly skilled child and adolescent psychotherapist. Mrs. Buttafava works closely with parents of her child and adolescent patients which both support the child and adolescent's treatment and enriches the psychotherapeutic process."
-Edward P. Kaufman, MSW, LCSW, BCD
Director Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy Program
Chicago Psychoanalytic Institute
"Intelligent, sensitive therapist gifted in her work with children. Her clinical approach demonstrates a deep appreciation of the uniqueness of us all. Highly recommend, from a former supervisor"
-Carol Saldinger, MSW, LCWS
"Compassionate, professional, and ethical!"
-Mari M.
Monica's Treatment Specialties
• Life transitions such as a move, divorce, blended family
• Anxiety, generalized fear
• Self-control/impulsivity
• Social skills/boundaries
• Aggressive behaviors
• Grief/bereavement
• Trauma and loss
• Sadness/depression
• Medical trauma
• Attachment concerns
• Abuse/Neglect
• Adoption Support
• Strengthening family relationships
• Bullying/struggling peer relationships
• Challenges with academic
• motivation/success
• Low self esteem
• Focus/inattention
• Selective Mutism
• Psychosomatic symptoms
• Separation anxiety
• Mood issues
• Child behavior problems
• Regulatory difficulties
• Temper tantrums
• School issues
More Information Available on Monica's Website
Rates
$130 per 50 minute session
***Reduced fee services are available based on need
*Monica also charges this amount for other professional services you may need. These may include report writing, telephone conversations, consulting with other professionals where you have authorized contact.
Insurance
- I accept Oscar Health, United Healthcare and Oxford. However, if you do not carry these insurances you may be eligible for reimbursement by your insurance company under your out-of-network provider benefits; please call your insurance company to verify your benefits.
- Monica can provide an insurance-ready statement to submit to your insurance
More information on insurance available here